Deathcore

Deathcore is an extreme metal fusion genre that combines the characteristics of death metal and metalcore and sometimes hardcore punk.[1][2][3][4][5] It makes use of death metal riffs and blast beats, as well as metalcore breakdowns.[6][7] Deathcore gained most prominence within the southwestern United States, especially Arizona and inland southern California (mostly the Coachella Valley), which are home to many notable bands and various festivals.[8][9][10][11]

Characteristics

Deathcore combines death metal characteristics such as blast beats, down-tuned guitars, tremolo picking and growled vocals with metalcore characteristics such as breakdowns. The genre is usually defined by breakdowns and death metal riffs or metalcore riffs played in the usual death metal tuning.[6][12] Like in other extreme metal fusion genres, deathcore guitarists down-tune their guitars to give their music a heavier sound. Deathcore bands may also employ guitar solos as well.[13][14][15][16][17][18]

Low growls and shrieked screams are common vocalizations.[6][19] Some other techniques that deathcore vocalists have used include what is known as pig squeals.[20][21][22][23][24] Sung vocals in the genre are extremely rare and most deathcore bands have never used them, but the idea has been experimented with by a few bands such as All Shall Perish (in the song "Awaken the Dreamers") and Oceano (in the song "Incisions").[25]

History

Mitch Lucker of Suicide Silence performing in 2010

The term deathcore originated in the mid-1990s; in 1996, Nick Terry of Terrorizer magazine wrote: "We're probably going to settle on the term deathcore to describe the likes of Earth Crisis (as well as the more NYHC-ish but still as deathly Merauder)."[26] In spite of this, Antagony[27] and Despised Icon are considered to be the pioneers of deathcore.[28][29] However, Despised Icon has rejected the label.[30]

Decibel magazine wrote that death metal band Suffocation were one of the main inspirations for the genre's emergence by writing: "One of Suffocation's trademarks, breakdowns, has spawned an entire metal subgenre: deathcore."[31]

Deathcore also began to gain moderate popularity in the late 2000s (specifically 2006 and 2007). Notable bands that brought the genre in the highlight include Bring Me the Horizon and Suicide Silence. Suicide Silence's No Time to Bleed peaked at number 32 on the Billboard 200, number 12 on the Rock Albums Chart and number 6 on the Hard Rock Albums Chart,[32] while their album The Black Crown peaked at number 28 on the Billboard 200, number 7 on the Rock Albums Chart and number 3 on the Hard Rock Albums Chart.[32] After its release, Whitechapel's album This Is Exile sold 5,900 in copies, which made it enter the Billboard 200 chart at position 118.[33] Their self-titled album peaked at number 65 on the Canadian Albums Chart[34] and also at number 47 on the Billboard 200.[35] Their third album A New Era of Corruption sold about 10,600 copies in the United States in its first week of being released and peaked at position number 43 on the Billboard 200 chart.[36] Furthermore, Bring Me the Horizon won the 2006 Kerrang! Awards for Best British Newcomer after they released their 2006 debut record Count Your Blessings.[37] However, Bring Me the Horizon abandoned the deathcore genre after the release of this album.[38] Lastly, San Diego natives Carnifex, witnessed success with their first album Dead in My Arms, selling 5,000 copies with little publicity. On top of their non-stop touring and methodical songwriting resulted in Carnifex quickly getting signed to label Victory Records.[39]

A variety of deathcore bands experimented with other genres into their music as influence as time went by. For example, early material by the band Fallujah was described as carrying deathcore and black metal influence respectively.[40] On the other hand, Emmure has been credited to be heavily influenced by nu metal[41] and was described as "the new Limp Bizkit".[42]

Criticism

Alexandre Erian of Despised Icon

Deathcore has been criticized and looked down upon, especially by longtime fans of some other heavy metal subgenres. The reason for it is often its fusion of death metal with metalcore and use of breakdowns.[23][24][43][44]

In addition to this, members of certain deathcore bands do not take a liking to being labeled "deathcore". In an interview with vocalist Vincent Bennett of The Acacia Strain about the deathcore label, he said "Deathcore is the new nu-metal. [...] It sucks. And if anyone calls us 'deathcore' then I might do something very bad to them."[45] While in an interview with Justin Longshore from Through the Eyes of the Dead about the deathcore label, he said "You know, I really hate that term. I know we've been labeled as that but I think there's so much more to our music than just a mixture of death metal and hardcore (sic) even though we incorporate those elements in our music. To me it seems that is just the new and fresh thing that kids are following."[46]

In November 2013, Terrorizer wrote "The term ‘deathcore’ is usually seen as a dirty word in metal circles" whilist interviewing vocalist Bryce Lucien of the Texas-based metal band Seeker. Lucien then stated:[47]

Much like what became of metalcore in the mid-2000s, deathcore is an often maligned term that can instantly diminish a bands credibility. What once conjured images of ridiculously brutal, unapologetically heavy bands like Ion Dissonance and The Red Chord now brings to mind bands full of twenty-year-olds sporting throat tattoos, matching black t shirts, and trying desperately hard to look tough while they jump in sync onstage.

In contrast, there seems to be bands that appear to be more lighthearted and less concerned over being described as deathcore. Scott Lewis of the San Diego-based deathcore band Carnifex started "We're not one of those bands trying to escape the banner of deathcore. I know a lot of bands try and act like they have a big problem with that, but if you listen to their music, they are very 'deathcore.' I know that there is a lot of resentment towards deathcore and kind of younger bands."[48] Also in a 2012 interview with Chelsea Grin, guitarist Jake Harmond said: "Everyone likes to flap their jaw and voice their own opinion how 'embarrassing' it is to be in a band that can be labeled 'deathcore,' but honestly we have never given a fuck."[49]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Henderson, Alex. "Desolation of Eden". AllMusic. Retrieved June 26, 2015. Deathcore -- the type of noisy, caustic, abrasive mixture of metalcore and death metal that Chelsea Grin offer on their first full-length album, Desolation of Eden -- is bound to annoy a lot of parents, which is exactly the point."
  2. ↑ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Heaven Shall Burn". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 25 March 2011.
  3. ↑ Henderson, Alex. "Burning Skies". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 25 March 2011.
  4. ↑ Gorania, Jay H. "Despised Icon - 'Day Of Mourning'". About.com. Retrieved 25 March 2011.
  5. ↑ Chichester, Sammi (October 19, 2012). "Dan Kenny of Suicide Silence Picks the Top Five Underground Death-Metal Bands". Revolver. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  6. 1 2 3 Lee, Cosmo. "Doom". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 25 March 2011.
  7. ↑ Marsicano, Dan. "Rose Funeral - 'The Resting Sonata'". About.com. Retrieved 25 March 2011.
  8. ↑ Official SoCal DeathFest banner - held in Santa Ana, California
  9. ↑ Official Deathcore Fest banner - held in San Francisco, California
  10. ↑ roadrunnerrecords.com "Ferret Music has announced the signing of ELYSIA. The California-based deathcore outfit is composed of Zak Vargas (vocals), Mark Underwood (guitar), Steven Sessler (drums), Danny Lemonsqueeze (guitar) and Jeremy Chavez (bass, backing vocals) and formed four years ago"
  11. ↑ pyromusic.net Spiritech: "..., meet Californian quintet Suicide Silence, who have just released their debut album, 'The Cleansing'."
  12. ↑ http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=407731
  13. ↑ "Bring Me The Horizon - Count Your Blessings Review". Chad Bowar.
  14. ↑ "Bring Me the Horizon, "Count Your Blessings"". Dead Tide.
  15. ↑ "Bring Me The Horizon - Count Your Blessings". Blistering.
  16. ↑ "Whitechapel "Self-Titled" Album Review". Punk World Reviews. June 15, 2012.
  17. ↑ "Whitechapel - Self-Titled Album Review". Sonic Abuse. July 6, 2012.
  18. ↑ "Whitechapel - "A New Era of Corruption" CD Review". Metal Underground. June 5, 2010.
  19. ↑ "CD Review: CARNIFEX Until I Feel Nothing". Metal Injection. October 27, 2011.
  20. ↑ "Doom - Job for a Cowboy". Allmusic. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  21. ↑ "Poll: Are Deathcore Vocalists Interchangeable?". MetalSucks. January 5, 2013.
  22. ↑ "Interrupting Cow - Desecration of the Universe (EP) (2012)". Psychocydd. November 7, 2012.
  23. 1 2 "A Deathcore Extravaganza". Review the World. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  24. 1 2 "Leave The Pig Squeals on The Farm". American Aftermath. September 26, 2010.
  25. ↑ http://www.altpress.com/features/entry/song_premiere_oceano_incisions
  26. ↑ Terry, Nick (December 1996). "So, Did Earth Crisis Move You?". Terrorizer #37, page 23. ISSN 1350-6978.
  27. ↑ No Clean Singing - ANTAGONY – Why you need to know this band…
  28. ↑ "Despised Icon". Decibel. November 2009.
  29. ↑ "Despised Icon: New Video Interview Available". Blabbermouth. May 22, 2008.
  30. ↑ "Despised Icon Despised 'Deathcore'". MTV. June 8, 2007.
  31. ↑ Lee, Cosmo (September 2009). "Suffocation reclaim their rightful place as kings of death metal". Decibel Magazine #059. One of Suffocation's trademarks, breakdowns, has spawned an entire metal subgenre: deathcore
  32. 1 2 "Suicide Silence Album & Songs Chart History". Billdboard. Billboard.com. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  33. ↑ "Whitechapel's This Is Exile Lands on Billboard Chart". Blabbermouth. 2008-07-16. Retrieved January 5, 2013.
  34. ↑ "Albums Charts". Retrieved January 5, 2013.
  35. ↑ "Whitechapel's Chart History". Billboard.com. Retrieved January 5, 2013.
  36. ↑ Whitechapel: 'A New Era Of Corruption' Cracks U.S. Top 50 – June 16, 2010
  37. ↑ "Kerrang! Awards 2006 Blog: Best British Newcomer".
  38. ↑ "Bring Me The Horizon // Drowned In Sound". Drowned In Sound. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
  39. ↑ http://www.massconcerts.com/event/83083-all-in-merch-14th-annual-new-worcester/
  40. ↑ Total Deathcore Fallujah The Harvest Worms
  41. ↑ "Guest Insider: Mike Gitter Reviews Emmure's 'Felony'". Metal Insider. 2009-09-10. Retrieved 2012-10-03.
  42. ↑ "FURTHER MORE PROOF THAT EMMURE ARE THE NEW LIMP BIZKIT". MetalSucks. August 27, 2012.
  43. ↑ "Why Do Metal Nerds Like All These Deathcore Bands????". Sergeant D from MetalSucks. May 16, 2012. I like this band OK, but I think it's really funny how when they first came out everybody was like "WTF this band sucks they are posers/not real death metal!!!" Then they put out their second album, which was basically generic late-90s death metal like any of the 8962323 jillion bands who ripped off Cannibal Corpse and Suffocation at the time, and then everybody was all "I guess they are OK this record is pretty sweet."
  44. ↑ "Deathcore... and how hard it is to find good bands???". David Dawson. October 15, 2012.
  45. ↑ Bee Roth, David (2008-12-30). "Exclusive Interview with The Acacia Strain's Vincent Bennett". MetalSucks. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
  46. ↑ "Justin Longshore (Through the Eyes of the Dead)". Decoymusic. March 25, 2007.
  47. ↑ Seeker’s Bryce Lucien On The Term ‘Deathcore’
  48. ↑ "Carnifex Vocalist Doesn't Fear the Deathcore Tag". Noisecreep. March 16, 2010.
  49. ↑ "Chelsea Grin interview". Lambgoat. January 7, 2012.


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